What are the best places to live in the US?

[Charger1973]

Im just wondering, what do you think are the best places to live in the US?   

Im trying to decide where to move after i finish college, which will be a few years.  I have lived in Iowa for most of my life, and its not really my kind of place.  Its all flat and boring, and there arent enough warm days in the year for me.  I was considering Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Anyone live there or have any input on that area? 

[70charginglizard]

Im partial to the north west myself (born and raised) but you have to be able to deal with the rain quite a bit. If you can get past that. It can be a very beautiful place to live. Wide variety of landscape.

[Bandit4142]

Colorado is nice...  expensive, but nice. 

[ck1]

If your gonna move up here in the North West especially the North Bend area make sure you are planning to make allot of money for this is were the rich people live, average price for a house now is about $450,000 and a place near my parents are asking 1.8 mill, most House's in the area being built are 1 to over 2 million or even higher.  So if your family income is well over $200,000 a year you will fit right in...........come buy a tree at or farm too if you move here

[BB1]

I've lived in Spokane WA; Hated it.
I lived in Austin TX; Hated it.
Born in San Diego; It was awesome in the 70ds and 80ds. Left in 1995.
KANSAS City, by far the best place to live period. 1995 till death.
So much Charger and MoPar stuff to do here, it's just amazing.

Midwest... please don't come here. 

Albuquerque, New Mexico hell no. I had a friend living there with her boyfriend, and I would always stop by and see her.
Eventually we became roommates in Kansas, then Austin. Then she became pregnant,... and well I better leave it at that.

[mikepmcs]

Down low Virginia or Tennessee is where it's at in my book.(weatherwise)

If Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois didn't see winter I would live in one of those states without hesitation.  Hands down the nicest people I have ever met.

Albuquerque can't be bad though, I think you are on the right track.

[TruckDriver]

Don't come to Wisconsin. It is pretty here in the fall, but I want out. Just need to wait for my girlfriend to finish school and stuff.

[Silver R/T]

I like WA state. Had a chance to be in TN and I liked it also, not sure about their humidity in the summer though, dont like hot weather that much

[Charger1973]

Don't come to Wisconsin. It is pretty here in the fall, but I want out. Just need to wait for my girlfriend to finish school and stuff.

Lived there before.  I gotta move somewhere further south.  I just cant stand to be cold.  I want to be able to drive my car most of the year and not have to worry about the road salt.  Humidity sucks too...

[moparguy01]

western kansas isnt bad. its actually not as flat as you all think.

i actually like up here in ND/MN area, but it does get really really freaking cold for most the year.

[mikesbbody]

arizona is my favourite place in the usa i like anywhere hot.

[Charger1973]

arizona is my favourite place in the usa i like anywhere hot.

I think I would really like it there too, thats my #2 choice at the moment. 

[Steve P.]

It all depends on what kind of work you will go into. If you can handle humidity, Florida is the place for you. Summers are a bitch. Though if you have A/C it isn't a problem. Our winters are better than most states summers. Cali. is nice, but you better be damn good at what you do with that cost of living.. Vegas is great if you like it hot and dry. Lots going on there all the time. Just STAY OUT OF THE CASINO'S.. Haha.. I wasn't very impressed with Aridzona.. It seams awfully run down to me.

Taxes and insurance are going through the roof here in Florida. If you're on the coast especially. Housing is much cheaper than most places..

[Charger1973]

Im going into IT.  Computers are everywhere, and with my bad back I figure I need to get into a career where I would work with my brain rather than my back.  I want to be somewhere I can find a job but not somewhere thats going to cost a fortune to live.  I figured Florida would be one of the most expensive places to live, along with Cali and NYC.

[Steve P.]

Actually Florida isn't as expensive as most.  You can GOOGLE (best places to live in the US). CHeapest, warmest, etc...

[TruckDriver]

My girlfriend agrees that somewhere with mountains you can see when looking out of your windows. So, we came down to North Carolina around Ashville, or Tennessee around Chattanooga, or somewhere close.

[bull]

This might end up being kind of a "where do you live and why do you like it" thread because I bet most people are pretty ok with where they live or they wouldn't stay.

On that note, I'll put in my for my area. If you like food the Food Network just voted Portland, Oregon as being the "Delicious Destination of the Year" and our very own Burgerville as the nation's "Better Burger" in the "Fast-food with character" category. http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_aw/text/0,3151,FOOD_28456_61089,00.html

Mike of "Bullrun" fame will tell you his leg over the Oregon Pacific Coast Highway was his favorite during the competition.

I live within 2 hours of either Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens or the Oregon Coast and 30 minutes from the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area. The fishing, hunting, camping and hiking is great. Forbes says 7 of the top 10 "safest places" from natural disasters in the US are in the NW, 3 of them in Oregon if that means anything to you. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9131261/

But, truth be told I'd actually rather live here if unemployment didn't reach double digits in the winter: http://www.josephoregon.com/panoindexpage.htm#town

[Charger74]

Matt,

Albuquerque isn't bad, but if you are going into IT, I would recommend medical IT for that area.  It isn't a bad area, but does have it's fair share of weather problems.  YES, it does get snow sometimes. 

Arizona, well I will give you my take after living there for 20 years.   First if you do go IT, then Phoenix is the area to be in.  Was the fastest growing area for IT for many years.  PRoblem is, hello average temp in the summer is between 105 and 115 degrees.  BETTER add a/c to that car if you want to enjoy it.  Second, housing is not cheap unless you live in an apartment, but even then, don't expect to pay less than $800 for a 1 bedroom.   Yes, there is plenty to do, but expect anywhere from 15 to 60 minute drives to get to work and sometimes anywhere fun.  But there is alot of fun things.  The Salt river is awesome for tubing.   Tucson is nice, not quite as big, but has been growning by leaps and bounds since the early 90's.  JOb market isn't nearly as good though.

Now the bad part, unless your are good and get into a good job, don't expect decent wages, unless you can get a government job.  Heck, I moved to Iowa to get a better paying job (and did) than I ever had hope of getting where I lived (Sierra Vista) or Tucson.  Hate the heat, so Phoenix was out for me.

Really you best bet is to really talk with other people in IT.  See what type of IT you want to be in, then check surveys and research where is the best paying and highest marketable places to move to.

[Brock Samson]

I know,..
  come to the Bay Area, there's not enuff traffic and the rents and costs couldn't be higher...
oh, 'n by the way, we have the highest gas prices in the united states and all these freakin liberals, incl. democrats and socialists...
             

[Steve P.]

Time for your pill, Brock.....

[Brock Samson]

   I am a pill...

[Vainglory, Esq.]

I'm very much a city person, so that'll color my perceptions a bit, but here's where I've lived, and what I thought.

Minneapolis - I live downtown, and it's very nice; half of the year, it's cold as hell though, and I'm not sure it's worth it.
Dayton, OH - Great place to grow up, not sure about it otherwise
Lunada Bay/Palos Verdes, CA - Amazing, but you better have lots of $$$$
Los Angeles - Again, expensive, but totally worth it.  I'm looking to move back within a few years.
Atlanta - I loved it there, but it would be a culture shock to those new to the South.  Probably tied with Minneapolis for #2 on my list.
Austin - Not terrible, but too small; I'd go stir crazy.  And way too many hippies.
Boston - Nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to die there.
Destin, FL - Way too small, but picturesque.  Great place for a second home.
Fairfield, CT - A New York City bedroom community.  Very New England, and not really my style.
Paris, FR - Depends on whether Segolene Royal is elected...  Actually, it's a great place, but out of the question as a primary residence.

[Bob]

Don't come to Wisconsin. It is pretty here in the fall, but I want out. Just need to wait for my girlfriend to finish school and stuff.

High school graduation is right around the corner Better reserve that U-Haul.

Bob

[pettyfan43]

Hey I live in the heart of the southeast (North central Alabama) Huntsville is a Hi Tech town and the south is beautiful plsu the people are so laid back it's great.

Hard NOT to love the south!

In the summer, it gets a little warm though and we have a little bit of humidity! 

[Old Moparz]

Best place to live is probably my garage, it's been quiet in there for years.